For the Sheikh's Pleasure

by Annie West

Rosalie Winters is a challenge. Beautiful and aloof, she doesn't play the games of flirtation and seduction that Sheikh Arik Kareem Ben Hassan expects from women. She intrigues him with her lack of sophistication and guile.

Arik realizes he must move slowly to gain her trust. Rosalie is quiet, even withdrawn, as though something has changed her. But Arik also knows that once she's at his command Rosalie will welcome the loving that only he can give her….

Genres: Harlequin, Romance, Harlequin Presents, Contemporary Romance, Hqn, Contemporary

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 24, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!

You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com

I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.

Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.

Reviews

[Vintage · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quintessential soft-core romance novel in terms guilty pleasure and distance from any sense of reality.

Handsome, hunky sheikh purposely sets out to seduce a sweet young thang until his desire is fulfilled, but along the way her sweetness dissolves those nefarious plans.





That is pretty much what happens. The sheikh sees his prey, and he lays his cliched but effectively beautifully seductive trap in the form of his horses, his tent on the beach, and his time showing the h the beauty and culture of his country.









The h who has had a tragic past in regard to men succumbs to her passion, and leaves immediately after they consummate the affair which enrages and piques the H. He’s the driver on this affair, not the heroine.

He tries to track her down only to find her in the last place he would ever want to find her. His cousin, the other sheikh’s palace.



She lays some truth on him that he only wanted her for sex which does the job and jiggles that pesky guilty conscience heroes so badly need at times.

HEA with Arabian horses and a cute plot moppet.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

I put off reading this book for a while, because I didn't like the idea of the hero cold-bloodedly setting out to seduce the heroine because he was bored with his inactivity and seclusion while his broken leg was healing, and he needed a distraction. I started it once, because it's about the sister of the heroine from The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride (Surrender to the Sheikh), a book I loved. But I put it down because I wasn't in the mood for that kind of hero. As I embarked on my Weekend Harlequin Presents Marathon, a tradition I have that I truly enjoy, I picked it up and started reading it again. I am glad I finally did read this book.

How could I have doubted you, Annie West? You know how to write a great, intense romance. The process of showing the courtship and the seduction of Arik by Rosalie (note I didn't say the opposite) was so beautifully executed by you. Arik thought he knew all the moves, had women figured out, and knew how to get his pleasure out of a woman and move on. He saw Rosalie and wanted her body. But when he spent time with her, saw the mix of vulnerability and beauty that was her, not just her body, he wanted more from her. I have trouble with playboy heroes that think all women are the same, just warm bodies for pleasure. So I was predisposed to dislike Arik. He had to work very hard for me to like him. But he succeeded. He succeeded by showing he was a sensitive man. The way he gave Rosalie time, and let her come to him, made allowances for her skittishness, and didn't force the issue, that really helped me to like him. Also how he became obsessed with her, completely drawn in, so that by the time they were actually lovers, it was more than just that. For the short time period that this happened in, I have to give Ms. West some credit. I've read books where the couples have a love affair that spans much longer time periods, and the love aspect, the connection was missing. Not with this book.

Like the other books that I've read by Annie West, the intensity that turns a HP from an enjoyable read to a real pleasure and a favorite, was there in spades with this book. I liked how the struggle within Rosalie to claim back her life, to open her heart to love and a physical relationship with man after she was raped was shown. Even though Arik didn't know she was raped until near the end, he was very caring and considerate to her, and that helped Rosalie get past her fears and her issues. And Arik went from being kind of shallow, a rich playboy (even if he did have a heart for his people and worked hard, his attitude towards women was very shallow) to a deep, caring, loving man who fell truly in love, completely captivated by a woman before my eyes. I think this was done so well.

This was a great book. I'm a big fan of sheikh romances, but I liked that this was one was more intimate. There were hints about Arik's wealthy and powerful identity, but that was in the background. The focus was on the relationship between Rosalie and Arik. How a wary heart found a once shallow man and turned him into a man who was so lovestruck, he wanted nothing more than the one woman he had initially decided to seduce out of boredom. That's the most awesome kind of book that takes a story you're kind of 'meh' about, and completely draws you in.

Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.

[StMargarets · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Triggers* Discussion of rape.
The title sounds like a condom commercial. And the opening feels as skeevy as the title. The hero has broken his leg and is sitting around watching the heroine on the beach from his telescope. He is lusting after her and planning his seduction.

The heroine is on the beach every morning trying to get her painting mojo back. She was roofied and raped at a student party three years before (when she was 19) and has a 2 year old daughter. She has no idea who the father is.

So the contrast of the hero's thoughts and the heroine's thoughts are startling, to say the least.

I had a hard time warming up to the hero - who is clearly smitten - but his full court press felt stalkerish at times, not because he did anything outrageous, but because the heroine was so uncomfortable. This felt very realistic and I think it would be triggering to certain readers.

The heroine is sister in law to the king of this made-up country and doesn't tell the hero who she is. The hero is the king's cousin and a sheikh in his own right. This creates a few problems in the second half of the story.

The hero does take a good hard look at himself and he does change in his attitude toward the heroine throughout the story - it's a nice progression. The heroine's sudden love of sex was more abrupt and less convincing.

[AvidReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was sweet, sensual, exciting with a good romance. Loved the main characters.
Recommended.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie West is fast becoming one of my all time favorite HP authors. She writes such wonderful love stories with Hero's that are all alpha..but yet wonderful, and beautiful heroines with guts and courage. This is the story of Rosalie....the sister of Belle from The Sheik's Ransomed Bride. This is an incredible story dealing with the tough issues surrounding rape and the aftermath of putting your life back together and finding love. Even though this is a sequel, you don't need to read them in sequence. But I would highly suggest reading both. You will not be disappointed.

[willaful · Rating 3 out of 5]

Player sheikh falls for injured innocent single mom. This is a very Sandra Marton-ish story, so I'm really not sure why I didn't like it more. It just seemed thin somehow, like all the right elements went into the pot but it never quite became stew. Though the seduction scene is nicely written and very sensual.

[Caro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ella no quiere acercarse a los hombres porque hace un par de años era una universitaria que fue a una fiesta, tomó algo y se despertó violada por quién sabe cuántos hombres. Como resultado de esa terrible experiencia tuvo una hija.
No es de los argumentos que me gustan ni me atraen; este fue otro momento fallido en el canje de libros. Lo compré porque era de Annie West, period... pero mi elección no fue la más acertada.
Además de que el héroe sólo quiere fuckeársela (?) all nite long, la historia no tuvo demasiado sustento. Frases tristes como "besaba como virgen, miraba como virgen, comía como virgen" me parecieron innecesarias porque hacía todo como una virgen pero, mirá vos, no lo era y encima por causas muy horribles =_=.
Lo que más me molestó de la novela fue la liviandad con la que esta autora trata el tema. Está bien, es un HP, pero como habla de una violación en masa y ella tiene una hija, enseguida pensé: ¡enfermedades! ¿Y el sida, y las venéreas? ¿No podría haber aclarado qué hizo luego de semejante shock? No dice nada.

[Books&Friends · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annie West is an author you can depend on giving good stories.
Arik and Rosalie are a good couple and the conflict and story is solid. No loose ends and they seem on track to a HEA. It's a easy three star book.

So why do I ask myself am I not satisfied?

Well to be honest its kinda like having Chinese food. You eat it and its consistently satisfying but an hour later you wouldn't have known you ate it.
I wish she'd go outta her comfort zone and surprise me every once and awhile.I guess I'm saying Annie don't play safe and throw me a curve ball and be prepared for me not to like everything you write. Those are memorable books - good or bad.

Just...
My take!

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solita storia d'amore tra uno sceicco e una ragazza di belle speranze che, devo essere sincera, mi ha emozionato.
Lui, al solito, figaccione che sa quello che vuole e come ottenerlo; lei, giovane madre single con un passato traumatico ma comunque imparentata con la famiglia reale dell'Emirato. La tensione erotica tra i due protagonisti è talmente forte che esce fuori dalle pagine e travolge.
Stile semplice e scorrevole, l'autrice è riuscita a mantenere l'interesse dalla prima all'ultima pagina nonostante la trama abbastanza scontata.
Promosso.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A bit of fluffy fun to while away an afternoon. The main characters were lovely and the romance was sweet and satisfying.

[MissKitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but not my one I’d call a favourite since it was sooo slowww paced. It took me 3 days to read this book and I read other books in between reading this.

At 50% mark, nothing had happed. It’s just pages and pages of her inner musings on how the Hero excites her and she is tempted but scared. We also get pages of his thoughts on how he can proceed slowly so he can give in to the incredible lust he has for her...

3-stars because its a hot read, but I suppose one has to be in the mood for the pacing.

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

rosalie is stupid! we have nothing to talk about! nothing! nothing!, he wants me only for sex despite he says it's not just sex... and so on...please, woman, chill out.

[Pippa Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you need a book to read in 2.5 hours! This is ok for a trashy romance!

[Raffaella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a pleasant surprise. When I read the title I didn’t expect too much, maybe a bland story of sex between two bland characters. Nothing at all. Yes in the beginning the hero is a horny sheikh who plans to seduce and bed the heroine he saw painting on the beach near his house. So he goes full of himself and sure of his charms and what he finds is a shy, innocent and very wary young woman. She’s not his usual type and doesn’t fall for him as the others. He doesn’t force his seduction but he’s sure that eventually they will become lovers. The heroine is wary of men because when she was a teenager she experienced what is the worst nightmare of all teenagers: she went to a party, was drugged, raped, didn’t know who was or were the person who raped her and got pregnant. She has a daughter now and doesn’t go out with men. She’s attracted to the hero because he’s kind and honorable and doesn’t force her even if he desires her. The attraction between them is very strong and since the beginning it’s clear to all the readers that the hero is falling hard for her. The book is simmering with passion. They eventually have sex and it’s a sublime experience for both, she explores her sensual nature and he’s completely besotted. The day after that incredible experience she disappears leaving him only a succinct note. He’s crazy and does everything in his power to find her. Guess what. She’s his cousin’s sister in law! So he finds her and understands that he can’t let her go. She’s in his blood and in his heart. I especially loved the passion that was so evident between the characters: the hero was crazy about the heroine, his feelings were really so strong and he couldn’t let her go despite his intentions in the beginning to have only a fleeting affair. It was all so hot and not only for sexual desire. At last one book where feelings and emotions are not spared!

[Desi · Rating 3 out of 5]

leído el 01/12/2011

Protagonistas: Arik Kareem Ben Hassan y Rosalie Winters
Argumento:

¿Sucumbiría a los encantos del jeque?
Rosalie Winters era todo un desafío: una mujer hermosa y distante que se negaba a participar en el juego de seducción del jeque Arik Kareem Ben Hassan y que carecía de sofisticación y malicia.
Arik sabía que, si realmente quería conquistarla, tendría que tomarse las cosas con calma. Rosalie era demasiado tímida, como si le hubiese sucedido algo terrible que la hubiera cambiado para siempre. Pero él sabía que tarde o temprano conseguiría que se abriese y aceptase el amor que sólo él podía darle.

[RomLibrary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rosalie Winters is a challenge. Beautiful and aloof, she doesn't play the games of flirtation and seduction that Sheikh Arik Kareem Ben Hassan expects from women. She intrigues him with her lack of sophistication and guile.

Arik realizes he must move slowly to gain her trust. Rosalie is quiet, even withdrawn, as though something has changed her. But Arik also knows that once she's at his command Rosalie will welcome the loving that only he can give her....

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a touching story. Rosalie Winters had a difficult experience with men. While she was trying to recapture her love for painting, she meets a wounded man in a beautiful horse. She finds her love of painting and some of herself by meeting Arik. When she runs back to her daughter and family, Arik finds her and they finally learn about each other. Definitely a fairy tale ending. Annie West has a wonderful touch with love stories.

[Julie Oldham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable.

[Oborozukyo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Returned to charity shop

[Dreg · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very slow and boring read.😥

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. Arik is recuperating from an injury when he sees Rosalie out on his beach painting. He decides he'd like to take her to bed, so he pursues her. Only she's extremely wary of men and he recognizes that to get what he wants he's going to have to manipulate skillfully. He's not really an ass, but his motives (and even some of his monologue statements) are pretty assholish... He's actually quite nice to her, very understanding and very patient. Rosalie was raped in college and does not trust Arik. But eventually she gives in (as she must). But recognizing the danger to her heart, Rosalie takes off before she becomes too attached. But Arik isn't quite finished with her yet and goes looking for her.

Rosalie was a bit iffy for me, as a character. In one respect, she's moved on from her trauma and is strong. But she's very nervous around Arik and very insecure and it sort of got on my nerves. But at the same time, I have to applaud the author because I could feel Rosalie's anxiety. But Rosalie also grows and realizes that she can't let fear control her and she seeks out the passion she wants. Then she ditched him! I love a heroine that puts a hero in his place like this! But she took it a bit far...especially when he's in full grovel mode and she's telling him they have no future just to protect herself.

Arik...he started out as a playboy who just wanted a girl in his bed. But I respect the fact that he was as patient as he was. But not very, given that to him 4 days felt like forever (and he admits to having wanted sex with her for a very long time - which was really only 4 days). And Rosalie called him on his bullshit quite a bit. And I was quite satisfied with the grovel here...I almost don't think he deserved it. But it felt good when he realized that he'd been a "thoughtless and selfish heel" and even apologized to the heroine for it! I wish all romances did this. So I finished this book feeling very good about the romance and the characters. Well done.

Just a small note though, it is somewhat irritating when, during the first sexual encounter the hero verbalizes and takes on the responsibility of using protection, but then later in subsequent encounters, it is obvious that he does not use protection. For example, when one has sex in water or rather spontaneously against a wall. Yeah. Am I supposed to just imagine he forever has a condom on now? It was actually jarring...but only because he made such a point of it in the first encounter.

[Riverina Romantics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie West has such a beautiful writing style. Each action and emotion was described in great detail, putting you right into the mind of the protagonist. Not only was it highly descriptive, but it wasn't repetitive. Sometimes you read a romance/erotic novel and there is a whole heap of sizzling, burning, thrusting, sighing, but I was amazed at how well the author kept each emotion and reaction new.

I fell in love with Arik...which to be honest isn't new. I fall in love with almost all the Sheikh's I read, but Arik was dreamy with his handsome good looks, his desire for Rosalie and the way he changed from a man only looking for a bit of action between the sheets to someone dedicated to one woman.

Rosalie was the damaged heroine and I actually enjoyed that she didn't fall at the feet of Arik (like I would have). She had skeletons not only in her closet - but haunting her everyday, stopping her from living her life to the fullest and I enjoyed the happily ever after she was given.

For the Sheikh's Pleasure was sweet and easy read, perfect for a night where you don't want to concentrate but want to fall head over heels in lurve.


3.5 hotness

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

For The Sheikh’s Pleasure is the second book by Australian romance author, Annie West in the Surrender To The Sheikh series. Sheikh Arik Ben Hassan, cousin to the ruler of the island country of Q’aroum, is recovering from a broken leg in his castle by the sea when he spots a beautiful woman sketching on the beach. Rosalie Winters is trying to regain her lost artistic talent, but lacking inspiration until Arik rides up on his beautiful Arabian steed. Arik realises immediately that he will need to tread carefully with Rosalie, but he is determined to seduce her eventually. This romance has rather a lot of heroine growing faint at the sight/sound of hero, and hero instantly aroused at the sight/smell of heroine. Enough to make it rather tedious. Arik seems to be the typical middle-eastern male; Rosalie has a secret that explains her shyness. Apart from this, there is little depth and the predictable happy ending could have been reached quite a bit sooner. Mediocre.

[Baseballmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Story......d:)

I really liked this book. The heroine is sweet and loving, but also very strong. She was determined to raise her daughter and try to reclaim her life and love of art. The H was a good honorable man who quickly realized that a brief affair just wouldn't be enough. The H was the perfect man for the heroine; strong, protective, caring and very accepting of her daughter. Worth reading ........d:)

[Laurie Gyd]

Romantic

I enjoyed reading about Rosalie, visiting Quarim and meeting Arik a sheikh. It has been a long time since Rosalie felt the urge to draw. She is there visiting her sister who's married to Prince Rafiq; along with her daughter, Amy and her mother. Story is traumatic and romantic. Enjoyed.

[Nicole P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very interesting

While I sympathized with the h, this story took to long to get started. The plot was really only about her getting over her trauma. The hero had to be pussyfooting around her too much. He was like a therapist without knowing the cause of her angst. She was too much of an emotional mess for me. A fly couldn't pass without her wanting to cry.

[Dina · Rating 3 out of 5]

this story is big on emotions, but result left me cold

[Peaches · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely unexpected treat! This is my first Sheikh romance and I really enjoyed it. The writing style could have been a little better but I loved the storyline and the yummylicious hero.

[Moodie_Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a 2.5 for me

[nadia · Rating 1 out of 5]

roofied and raped by unknow men? and have a child from unknown man, not for me too triggering and emotionally traumatizing.